[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 190 (Wednesday, November 15, 2023)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5538-S5539]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO ALEX SANCHEZ

 Mr. SCOTT of Florida. Mr. President, I stand to recognize and 
congratulate Alex Sanchez, president and CEO of the

[[Page S5539]]

Florida Bankers Association, on his retirement. Mr. Sanchez is a Cuban 
immigrant and American patriot. Sanchez served in the U.S. Air Force 
from 1976-1981 and holds a juris doctorate from the Iowa College of 
Law.
  Mr. Sanchez has served as president and CEO of the Florida Bankers 
Association for 30 years and will be retiring on December 31, 2023. 
Under his leadership, the Florida Bankers Association was instrumental 
in bringing to light and stopping harmful Federal legislation and 
regulation programs such as Operation Chokepoint and making nonresident 
alien account information public. He also oversaw the association's 
historic merger with the Community Bankers of Florida, combining the 
two banking organizations to better serve Florida's banking industry 
and the families and businesses it serves.
  Mr. Sanchez was appointed by President George W. Bush and confirmed 
by the U.S. Senate as a board member to the Federal Retirement Thrift 
Investment Board, where he served from 2003-2010. Former Florida 
Governor Jeb Bush nominated him to the Florida Schools of Excellence 
Commission, where he served from August 2006-April 2007. Later, he was 
chosen by the Financial Services Volunteer Corps for a mission to 
Tunis, Tunisia, to partner with the Tunisian Bankers Association and 
work with them on banking and priority regulatory reforms. He also led 
a mission to Arusha, Tanzania, in 2013 to lead a workshop on regional 
banking for the banking associations in the East African Community, 
including Uganda, Tanzania, Kenya, Rwanda, and Burundi.
  The Florida Bankers Association was established in 1888 to advocate 
on behalf of Florida banks and promote the banking industry in the 
State. The association provides unparalleled advocacy in Washington, 
DC, and Tallahassee, excellent educational programming, quality 
products, and valuable services for Florida's banking industry.
  It is my honor to congratulate Alex on his many achievements and on 
his retirement.

                          ____________________